Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Chairman. There are a hell of a lot of unanswered questions. When HRI appeared before the committee, it outlined the situation as regards funding of CCTV and indicated that, following installation at a single racecourse stables in 2017, funding had been provided to extend the installation to all courses. We were made aware that, at the start of 2018, a change in the laboratory that was being used by the regulatory board had seen an increase of, I believe, more than 400% in the number of positive tests. Six months later, though, the regulatory board sought to divert the funds away from the installation of CCTV to an online integrity portal.

In fairness, HRI has been forthcoming with information pertaining to itself, but its relationship with the regulatory board is an odd one because it seems to obscure the situation. I suggest that the committee write directly to the regulatory board requesting a briefing on the proposed installation of CCTV from 2017 onwards and to include in that briefing detailed notes on changes in budget allocations. I also suggest that we request a note from the regulatory board on the integrity portal or whatever it is - the board referred to it as being an online trainers licensing system - so that we might get a better understanding of it. HRI indicated that the regulatory board was the expert in this area and had a better understanding of how the money would be spent, but it seems very odd. The relationship between the two bodies is obscuring information. We need these questions answered.